Hopper for leaching ashes



(ModeL) A. B. ALEXANDER. Hopper for Leaching Ashes.

No. 242,577. Patented June 7,1881.

' ilNiTEo STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABBINGTON B. ALEXANDER, OF CANTON, TEXAS.

HOPPER FOR LEACHING ASHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,577, dated June '7, 1881.

Application filed April 30, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABBINGTON B. ALEX- ANDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canton, in the county of Van Zandt and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hoppers for Leaching Ashes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to furnish a convenient hopper for leaching ashes.

It consists in a substantial frame, two side boards hung in the frame so that their lower edges swing apart, two triangular end boards supported on the upper edges of and fitting snugly into grooves or channels in the sides of the swinging side boards when the latter are closed, and in a removable trough to catch and convey the lye to the tank, all of which will be hereinafter fully explained.

In the drawings, Figure l is an end elevation, and Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section, of the hopper; and Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are detail views of parts thereof.

A is a substantial frame which supports the several parts of my invention.

a a are the sides of the hopper. They are provided with pivoted connections a on their ends and near their upper edges, by which they are suspended in bearings in the corner posts of the frame, and so they swing together and formla \I-shaped hopper, or will swing open when desired and discharge the contents of the hopper.

On the inner sides and near the ends of the side boards there are formed grooves or channels a which receive the edges of the end boards, I). These grooves may be made by cutting into the side boards or by nailing on cleats a a a are two hooks fixed to the lower edge of one of the side boards, and catch on cleats or other suitable devices fixed on the other side board, and lock the said boards together when the hopper is to be filled with ashes.

(ModeL) When the side boards arelocked together there is a narrow opening or space between their lower edges to permit the escape of the lye.

- I) b are the end boards, made triangularin form, and they fit snugly into the grooves or channels a and form the ends of the hopper. They are provided with arms 1) N, which rest on the top edges of the side boards. WVhen the side boards are opened to discharge the ashes the arms b 'hold the end boards in place, so that side boards can be readily closed in against them.

0 is the discharge-trough, made long enough to hang under and receive the lye as the latter runs from the hopper through the slot between the lower ends of the hinged side boards, a.

The trough is provided with hampers 0 c fixed on its opposite ends, and so constructed that they may be readily attached to or detached from hooks or other suitable holding devices fixed to the frame A.

The lower edges of the side boards are brought together and locked, and this brings them against the edges of the end boards, which fit snugly into the grooves a The trough is suspended in place and the hopper filled in the usual manner. When the ashes have been thoroughly leached and it is desired to remove them, the trough is first detached and removed to one side, the hooks a are disengaged, the sides swing apart, and the ashes drop to the ground, where they may be easily got at with a shovel for removal to any desired place. One or both of the end boards can be lifted out of the way, if desired.

Any suitable lever-power may be employed to disengage the latches a. The latches are, by preference, not hinged, but are stationary, and the bar a on which they catch, slides upward in slots in the lugs a fixed on one of the hinged sides of the hopper.

A lever can be suitably pivoted on the side of the bar a, or to the side of the hopper and within easy reach of the hand. By this lever the bar a can be lifted out of the catches a.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

The improved ash-hopper composed of suitable frame, two side boards, hinged at their upper edges to the frame, so that their lower edges will swing together and form a V-shaped receptacle, two triangular end boards, fitting snugly into grooves or channels in the sides of the closed side boards, hooks or other suitable devices for fastening the side boards together when closed, and a suitable trough orreceptaole placed below the hopper to receive and carry the lye to the tank, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ABBINGTON B. ALEXANDER. Witnesses:

W. l. ALEXANDER, J. J. BETTS. 

